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Ranitidine

Information about Ranitidine

Ranitidine Uses

Ranitidine is used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) and peptic ulcer disease.

How Ranitidine works

Ranitidine is a histamine H2 receptor blocker that reduces the amount of acid made in the stomach. It relieves acid-related indigestion and heartburn.

Common side effects of Ranitidine

Headache, Gastrointestinal disturbance, Diarrhea

CONTENT DETAILS

Written By

Dr. Dheeraj Kumar Sharma

PhD, M.Pharm

Last updated

11 Jun 2025 | 01:04 PM (UTC)

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Available Medicine for Ranitidine

AcilocCadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹7 to ₹805 variant(s)

ZinetacGlaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹3 to ₹234 variant(s)

HistacSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

₹3 to ₹326 variant(s)

R-LocZydus Cadila

₹46 to ₹492 variant(s)

RanitinTorrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹3 to ₹667 variant(s)

Aciloc OnlyCadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹1601 variant(s)

PeptiranAjanta Pharma Ltd

₹38 to ₹612 variant(s)

ZynolMicro Labs Ltd

₹6 to ₹1333 variant(s)

MonorinAlembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹3 to ₹403 variant(s)

RenitabMicro Labs Ltd

₹8 to ₹273 variant(s)

Expert advice for Ranitidine

Take Ranitidine before going to bed if you are taking this medicine once a day. It is very effective in controlling stomach acid that is released when you are asleep.
If you are also taking other medications to treat acidity (e.g., antacid), take them 2 hours before or after taking Ranitidine.
Avoid taking soft drinks, citrus fruits like orange and lemon, which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion.
Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking Ranitidine for 2 weeks as you may be suffering from some other problems.
Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney disease as dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.
Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.
Ranitidine is a well tolerated and safe medicine with a very low incidence of side effects.
Take it with or without food.
Take Ranitidine before going to bed if you are taking this medicine once a day. It is very effective in controlling stomach acid that is released when you are asleep.
If you are also taking other medications to treat acidity (e.g., antacid), take them 2 hours before or after taking Ranitidine.
Avoid taking soft drinks, citrus fruits like orange and lemon, which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion.
Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking Ranitidine for 2 weeks as you may be suffering from some other problems.
Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney disease as dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.
Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.

Frequently asked questions for Ranitidine

Ranitidine

Q. Can I take Ranitidine empty stomach?

Ranitidine may be taken with or without food. It can be taken once daily before bedtime or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime, as recommended.

Q. How long does it take for Ranitidine to start working?

Ranitidine starts working as fast as 15 minutes from when it is given. Its effect is seen to last all day or all night.

Q. What is the difference between Ranitidine and omeprazole?

Ranitidine and Omeprazole belong to different groups of medicines. While Ranitidine belongs to histamine H2 antagonists group, Omeprazole belongs to proton pump inhibitors group. These medicines (Ranitidine and Omeprazole) work by reducing the amount of acid made by the stomach, to give relief of symptoms and allow healing to take place.

Q. Can I take alcohol with Ranitidine?

Alcohol does not interfere with the working of Ranitidine. But, you should avoid taking alcohol as it may further damage the stomach, delaying your recovery.

Q. What are the serious side effects of Ranitidine?

Ranitidine may have some serious side effects, but these are rare. These side effects may include hives, skin rash, itching, hoarseness, and difficulty in breathing or swallowing. Another serious symptom may be swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Inform your doctor in case you notice any of the mentioned symptoms.

Q. What are the dos and don’ts while taking Ranitidine?

Avoid taking aspirin and other painkillers used to treat arthritis, period pain, or headache. These medicines may irritate the stomach and make your condition worse. Contact your doctor who may suggest other medicines. Avoid coffee, tea, cocoa, and cola drinks because these contain ingredients that may irritate your stomach. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully. Try not to rush while having meals. You should stop or cut down on smoking.

Q. Is Ranitidine safe for long-term use?

There is limited data available on whether Ranitidine can be used for the long term or not, but it is a relatively safe medicine. You should take it for the duration advised by your doctor. Do not take over-the-counter Ranitidine for longer than 2 weeks unless advised by your doctor.

Q. Is Ranitidine effective?

Ranitidine would be effective only if used for the right indication in the dose and the duration as advised by the doctor. In case you do not find any change in your condition while taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.